For many families, a day at the carnival is a day of family fun. Great food, lots of games, and enjoyable rides. Unfortunately, a day at the carnival can turn out to be anything but fun. At Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith, we have seen it all – a 12 year old girl whose leg was snapped when the “safety” restraint was misapplied by a worker who subsequently did not hear her screams of pain; a mother who sustained a back injury necessitating surgery after a worker started a ride before she had an opportunity to board it; and an 8 year old girl whose finger was amputated by a rotating tunnel in a “fun house” that was missing its safety covering, after she was pushed into the tunnel by children running through the ride the wrong way, while the employee in charge was intoxicated and fast asleep.
By their very nature carnivals, and therefore their employees, are transient. As a result, oftentimes carnivals employ workers with “issues”. In the cases we have handled, we have discovered children’s rides which were operated by workers with criminal histories, substance abuse histories, and both. Similar individuals may be responsible for the setup and “safe operation” of the rides. According to the National Consumer Product Safety Commission, an estimated 7,000 people are treated in emergency rooms each year for injuries they sustained in amusement park rides. Unfortunately, most fair patrons are not privy to this information. These issues are further complicated by the fact that the rides are routinely disassembled, moved, and re-assembled, thereby increasing the opportunity for a safety error to occur.
As an educated consumer, there are certain affirmative measures you can take to attempt to ensure that your day at the fair remains fun. First, check the carnival operator’s accident history. In Florida, the Bureau of Fair Rides Inspection is responsible for inspecting amusement rides at temporary events (fairs, carnivals, and festivals) as well as permanent amusement parks for structural and operation integrity. Traveling amusement companies are required to be inspected each time they set up. The Bureau also investigates accidents involving amusement ride patrons and investigates when those rides may be unsafe for use. The Bureau may be contacted at (850) 488-9790.
Once you arrive at the carnival, inspect the park. If it is not well maintained, it may be an accurate reflection of how well-maintained the rides are. Assess the appearance of the ride. If it is rusty, poorly lit, or malfunctioning, it may be wise to take a pass. It is equally important to assess the conduct of the ride operator. First and foremost, make sure they are simply aware of their surroundings. If he looks like he is out of it, he probably is. While in line, see how the ride operator conducts himself. Is he paying careful attention to the ride and the patrons? Is he making certain that the safety rules are being followed? Is he operating more than one ride at a time?
Following these basic suggestions will help decrease your risk of danger. Stay safe, stay smart, and enjoy the ride!
